Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

NSAIDs primarily reduce inflammation by inhibiting which enzyme?

1. Phospholipase

2. Cyclo-oxygenase

3. Lipoxygenase

4. Acetylcholinesterase

The correct answer is: Cyclo-oxygenase

NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, primarily reduce inflammation by inhibiting the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase (COX). This enzyme plays a crucial role in the conversion of arachidonic acid, which is released from cell membranes, into prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are lipid compounds that are involved in various body functions, including the inflammatory response, pain signaling, and the regulation of blood flow to tissues. By inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase, NSAIDs effectively decrease the production of these inflammatory mediators, leading to reduced swelling, pain, and fever associated with inflammatory conditions. This mechanism is fundamental to the therapeutic effects of NSAIDs in managing conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and other inflammatory diseases. In contrast, phospholipase is involved in the release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids, while lipoxygenase is responsible for producing leukotrienes, another class of inflammatory mediators. Acetylcholinesterase plays a role in neurotransmission by breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and does not have a significant role in inflammation. Thus, the correct answer is indeed cyclo-oxygenase, as it directly links to the mechanism by which NSAIDs alleviate inflammation.